THE GENERAL'S DISGRACED HEIR

Seraphina, with swift movement, detached an earring from her earlobe. It was a piece of obsidian, dark and mysterious. "Take this," she said, her voice carrying a note of finality. David accepted the earring, his fingers tracing the intricate design as Luna made herself comfortable, resting her head on his lap.

"Why the earring?" he asked, his voice low.

Seraphina's eyes held a determined glint. "So that I don't have to explain to the guards what I'm doing at the Earl's estate," Seraphina replied. "When I'm near the gate, the earrings will turn green. Make sure to come for me."

David nodded, understanding the implications. "Did you cast a spell on them?" he inquired.

She shook her head. "Not really," Seraphina replied, a small smile playing on her lips. "Think of them as a tracking artefact."

The intrusion of the horseman's voice shattered the moment. "Prepare to depart!" he announced, his voice echoing through the yard. The carriage, a lumbering beast drawn by a team of powerful horses, was ready.

Seraphina waved goodbye to the receding carriage, her gaze fixed on the horizon. Draven, standing beside her, was a stark contrast to the man she had known. Gone was the self-absorbed underlord, replaced by a loyal protector. "You've changed," she observed, her voice filled with a mixture of surprise and approval.

Draven met her gaze, his expression a mask of stoicism. "I am now a guardian," he replied, his voice carrying a weight of responsibility. Seraphina nodded, a silent acknowledgement of his transformation.

****

The world outside was a masterpiece, an ever-changing canvas painted with strokes of emerald green and sapphire blue. Rolling hills, cloaked in a verdant blanket, gave way to dense forests, their canopies a mysterious green sea. Quaint villages, with their thatched roofs and smoke-curling chimneys, dotted the landscape like scattered jewels.

David, a captive of this moving tableau, found himself mesmerized. Luna, lying peacefully on his lap, her head resting gently on his thigh, mirrored his tranquillity, her rhythmic breathing a soothing counterpoint to the world in motion.

"An adventurer's guild," he mused aloud, his voice carrying a hint of excitement. The thought of delving into the unknown, of uncovering hidden treasures and battling fearsome creatures, ignited a spark within him. This world, with its promise of danger and glory, was a playground for the intrepid. The image of ancient dungeons that belonged to either dead or silent Sovereigns, filled with forgotten riches and guarded by mythical beasts, danced in his mind. A smile crept across his face.

Dungeons in Ternion were scarce and hidden, Governments taxed every adventurer's guild that maintained one but as the reader of 'Trials of Valor' David knew various locations of such Dungeons. It was only a matter of time before he Discovered one and monopolized them.

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The quaint wooden carriage rolled forward, its sturdy wheels firmly anchored to the well-trodden path. Crafted from richly stained timber, the carriage boasted a gracefully arched roof, hinting at the cosy haven within. Intricate ironwork adorned its edges, and tall, arched windows offered glimpses of the passengers inside. Steps led up to a small porch, where a merchant might have once displayed their finest wares. Now, this relic of a bygone era transporting people, whispering tales of endless journeys and the vibrant lives it once touched.

Beside David and the sleeping Luna sat two silent passengers. A child, cloaked in mystery, sat in a corner, her face hidden in shadow. while the other was a fierce yet graceful warrior, poised and vigilant. Her long silver hair cascaded over her shoulders, and she wore intricately designed armour beneath a flowing cloak that blended shades of burnt orange and deep midnight, its hem embroidered with delicate, flame-like patterns.

Her attire was a perfect fusion of elegance and utility, with belts and straps securing a variety of weapons and pouches. A slender sword rested in her hand, ready for the next adventure. Her serene expression belied the strength and determination that had carried her through countless battles, each one a testament to her unyielding spirit and unwavering resolve.

The child, shrouded in mystery, emerged from the shadows, her movements silent as a cat. With a sudden, playful gesture, she reached out to touch Luna's soft ears. The shadow creature, startled by the intrusion, lashed out with a defensive growl, sending the child tumbling to the other side of the carriage.

The warrior, ever vigilant, reacted instantly, her sword drawn and poised. Luna, her hackles raised, stood her ground, a low growl emanating from her throat. The carriage was transformed into a battlefield on the brink of chaos.

David, his senses on high alert, summoned Frostfang, his spectral dagger materializing in his hand. He was ready to intervene, to restore order. But the child, with a swift movement, pulled down her hood, revealing a face etched with innocence. "Litty, stop," she commanded, her voice carrying an authority that belied her young age. The warrior, recognizing the child's voice, lowered her sword.

"I'm sorry," the child apologized, her voice filled with remorse. "I couldn't resist," she explained, her eyes wide with regret.

Luna still growling was pissed and wasn't about to let the matter go until she chewed up this insolent brat

"Luna, that's enough," David instructed, and Luna ceased her aggressive behaviour, returning to his lap with a disgruntled click of her tongue.

David, a silent observer of the unfolding drama, dismissed Frostfang. The crisis averted, he returned his attention to the child. The world was full of surprises, and this was just the beginning of their adventure.

David studied the child with a keen eye. She was an elf, her delicate features and ethereal beauty a testament to her heritage. Her hair, a cascade of silver, shimmered in the soft light filtering through the carriage window. Her attire, simple yet elegant, hinted at a life of privilege. There was a vulnerability about her, a childlike wonder that contrasted sharply with the harsh realities of the world.

"What do you mean you couldn't resist?" David asked, his voice gentle.

The child, her eyes filled with a mixture of embarrassment and curiosity, pointed at Luna's ears. "They were so soft," she explained, her voice a mere whisper.

The mercenary, now understanding the situation, felt embarrassed by her companion's behaviour and smacked her lightly on the back of the head, prompting a startled yelp.

"Please, kind sir, forgive both me and my companion," the mercenary apologized.

"Hey, what's the big idea?" the young elf protested.

"Stop your squabbling and stop bothering the others," the mercenary lashed out, causing the young elf to pout and return to her seat.

David's palm descended like a gentle snowfall, silencing the brewing tempest. His voice, a warm summer breeze, soothed the ruffled feathers. "No harm done," he assured, his gaze softening. The child, eyes wide with wonder, tilted her head at the creature. "Soft, aren't they?" he prompted, a playful twinkle in his eye.

The young elf's irises, twin emeralds in a forest of green, danced with curiosity. "But..." she began, her voice a hesitant whisper. David's lips curved into a knowing smile. "Always ask before you touch someone's friend, alright?"

Remorse painted the child's face in hues of pink and gold. "Sorry," she breathed, her voice as soft as moonlit snow. Yet, the spark of inquisitiveness remained undimmed. "Can I touch them?"

Litty, a guardian oak, scolded, "Yue!", "What? He did say to ask if I wanted to touch them," But the determined elf held her ground, her gaze locked with David's. He chuckled, a melodious chime in the air. "She's got a point," he conceded, "but Luna gets the final say."

"May I touch them?" Yue pivoted, her question a silent plea to the serene Luna.

The Fenrir met her gaze with an icy indifference. "Come on, Luna, just this once, for me." David, a gentle hand on Luna's head, whispered a silent plea. With a dramatic roll of her eyes, Luna acquiesced, a reluctant queen granting a pardon. "Don't be aggressive," she warned Yue.

With a smile spreading across her face, Yue rushed to Luna, her excitement barely contained.

Yue's fingers danced across Luna's lupine ears, a gentle melody against the creature's fur. Despite the stoic facade, the twitch of Luna's lip betrayed the pleasure she derived from the touch. "So soft," Yue breathed, her voice a whisper in the still air. Luna, however, remained cloaked in silence, a statue of aloof indifference.

Yue's gaze shifted to David, her eyes twin pools of curiosity. "Anything else you want?" he inquired, a playful glint in his eyes. Indulging a child was not a daily affair, but there was a familiar spark in her that resonated with a forgotten memory. A mischievous imp, a mirror image of her, danced in the recesses of his mind.

"How can you command an apex lord?" Her question was a thunderbolt, striking him with unexpected force. Her eyes, wide with awe, held a depth that belied her age. A frown creased his brow. How did she know Luna's true cultivation level? A sense of unease gnawed at him. Before he could delve deeper, another question, a tempest brewing, was hurled his way.

"Are you an outsider?" Her voice, small but sharp, carried a weight disproportionate to her size. David's eyes narrowed, a predator sensing prey. His mind was a battlefield, and his skills, sharpened weapons.

[Heaven Whispering Palm]

Hummed to life, a silent sentinel guarding his secrets.